The Justice Department notified the company of its investigation earlier this month.

The negligence and breach-of-duty suit was filed in state court in Orange County, Florida.

The results of the audit will factor in Hondas investigation into whether it should recall some additional Takata inflators.

Toyota is recalling about 3.4 million vehicles to repair separate flaws involving leaky fuel tanks and curtain air-bag inflators that may crack and injure occupants.

About 625,000 minicars produced over the past three years were marketed as being as much as 10% more fuel efficient than they actually were.

The earthquakes will test the business continuity plans that Toyota and its Japanese peers drafted after natural disasters hit the nations east coast five years ago and disrupted operations for months.

Honda is preparing a recall for the 2016 Civic compact in the U.S. and has ordered dealers to stop selling some versions of the car.

U.S. auto safety regulators are determining whether 70 million to 90 million more Takata Corp. air-bag inflators should be recalled.